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Cuba
Miguel Diaz-Canel named Cuba's new president
April 19, 2018 at 11:44
In remarks following the National Assembly's announcement, Diaz-Canel acknowledged that Raul Castro would remain as the head of the armed forces, which runs much of the Cuban economy and tourism industry.
Havana, Cuba (CNN) - Miguel Diaz-Canel was officially named as the new leader of Cuba on Thursday, one day after a vote in the country's National Assembly.
It's the first time in nearly six decades that Cuba is being led by a man not named Castro.Diaz-Canel, 57, was selected as the unopposed candidate to replace Raul Castro, 86. Castro embraced Diaz-Canel -- who wasn't yet born when Fidel Castro led his revolution in 1959 -- during Wednesday's session, all but sealing his status as the island's next president.
Raul Castro is still expected to exercise a large measure of control over the Cuban government and have the final say on important decisions. He will remain first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, a member of the National Assembly and, even if he is no longer president, the most powerful public figure on the island.
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